The crew is captured by Trelane, the Squire of Gothos, who has styled himself and his dwelling on his out-of-date observations of Earth. Trelane has almost unlimited power and decides to make the crew his playthings, and Kirk must challenge him so they can make their escape.

Recap

The Enterprise is exploring uncharted empty space when they come upon a previously unknown planet uninhabitable by human life. Kirk orders it marked on the charts and then tells Sulu to chart a new course, but the helmsman disappears and when Kirk moves to his station, he disappears as well...

William Campbell (Trelane) was a close friend of DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy). He once described Kelley as being one of only five people that he found impossible to dislike. Writer and producer Gene L. Coon was another.

Music

Artist

Song Title

Played When

Johann Strauss II

Rosen aus dem Süden

Episode Quotes

McCoy: The word (desert) conjures up pictures of dunes, oases, mirages. Sunlight, palm trees.Spock: We're 900 light-years from that kind of desert. The precise meaning of the word 'desert' is a waterless, barren wasteland. I fail to understand your romantic nostalgia for such a place.McCoy: It doesn't surprise me, Mr. Spock. I can't imagine a mirage ever disturbing those mathematically perfect brain waves of yours.Spock: Thank you, Dr. McCoy.

Trelane: Oh, how absolutely typical of your species! You don't understand something so you become fearful.

Trelane: Dear Captain, so many questions. Make the most of an uncertain future. Enjoy yourself today. Tomorrow...(ominously) may never come at all.

McCoy: Does your logic find this fascinating, Mr. Spock?Spock: No. "Fascinating" is a word I use for the unexpected. In this case, I should think "interesting" would suffice.

Trelane: Do you know that you're one of the few predator species that preys even on itself?

Trelane: Don't fret, Captain. I'm only a bit upset with you, but this Mr. Spock you mentioned, the one responsible for that unseemly, impudent act of taking you from me, which is he?Spock: I'm Spock.Trelane: Oh, surely not an officer. Isn't quite human, is he?

Trelane: Well, I don't know if I like your tone. It's most challenging. That's what you're doing, challenging me?Spock: I object to you. I object to intellect without discipline. I object to power without constructive purpose.Trelane: Oh, Mr. Spock, you do have one saving grace after all - you're ill mannered. The human half of you, no doubt.

Trelane: She has the same melting eyes as the Queen of Shiba and the same coloring.

Trelane: How do you plead?Kirk: I haven't come to plead in your court, Trelane.Trelane: Anything you might say has already been taken down in evidence against you.

Trelane's Father: Stop that nonsense at once! Or you'll not be permitted to make any more planets!!

Kirk: He was probably doing things comparable to the mischievous pranks you played when you were a boy.Spock: "Mischievous pranks," Captain?Kirk: Yes--dipping little girls' curls in inkwells, stealing apples from the neighbors' trees, tying cans on -- forgive me... Mr. Spock. I should have known better.Spock: I shall be delighted, Captain.

Episode Goofs

William Campbell's muttonchops are very obviously fake.

DeForest Kelley mispronounces "Jaegar" several times.

Supposedly the distance between Gothos and Earth is 900 light years, as stated several times. However, this wouldn't work since it would put the "present" in the 27th or 28th century, and the series is set in the 23rd century.

Cultural References

Trelane: Is this the face that launched a thousand ships and burnt the topless towers of Ilium? Fair Helen, make me immortal with a kiss.

Trelane quotes from Christopher Marlowe's The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus.

Episode References

The Salt Creature from "The Man Trap," is seen among Trelane's exhibits.

Analysis

What Changed in the Remastered Version
General improvements cited on the main series page. The planet Gothos receives a significant visual upgrade, including small flashes of either lightning storms or volcanic activity. The planet now appears completely solid during the scenes where it "chases" the Enterprise. The immobilization effect on Kirk and Sulu is significantly enhanced. In the DVD version (but not the syndication cuts) the scene where Gothos intercepts the Enterprise is much improved and offers the viewer a real feel that the planet might crash into the ship.